Tomasz Drwal vs. Dave Branch expected at UFC Fight Night 22

A middleweight bout between Tomasz Drwal (17-3-1 MMA, 3-2 UFC) and Dave Branch (6-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) is expected to be part of next month’s UFC Fight Night 22 event, sources close to the show today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

Drwal initially was slated to fight Nick Catone (8-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC), who apparently suffered an injury that forced him off the Sept. 15 card.

Branch also recently lost his opponent when a staph infection forced Aaron Simpson out of their tentatively planned matchup.

UFC Fight Night 22 takes place at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas, and the night’s main card airs live on Spike TV. Drwal vs. Branch is slated for the untelevised preliminary card.

Drwal’s most recent fight snapped a three-fight win streak – and his leg, literally. The Poland native felt a pop in his knee when his opponent, Rousimar Palhares, cinched a heel hook at UFC 111. Palhares drew some fire for appearing to hold the lock well beyond Drawl’s tap-out, though he later apologized for his actions and received a 90-day suspension from the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board.

Branch, meanwhile, looks to rebound from his first career loss, which came via vicious KO-slam to Gerald Harris at UFC 116. Prior to loss, which same in Branch’s promotional debut, the fighter won all six of his pro fights. The Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu fighter and Brazlian jiu-jitsu black belt posted stoppages in all six victories.

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